Violence - Restraining Orders |
| The issuance of protective orders against domestic violence is governed by the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (the DVPA). The DVPA authorizes a court to issue protective orders on the application of a party, and emergency protective orders at the request of a law enforcement officer. As used in the DVPA, a ``protective order'' is an order that includes specific restraining orders, whether issued ex parte, after notice and hearing, or in a judgment. An ``emergency protective order'' is a protective order issued by a judicial officer on the request of a law enforcement officer who believes an immediate and present danger of domestic violence or child abuse, as defined by the DVPA, exists. In general, the purpose of a protective order is to prevent a recurrence of domestic violence and to assure a period of separation of the persons involved for a period sufficient to enable them to seek a resolution of the causes of the violence. |